Spring Break
Struggling Huskies travel to Yellow Jackets
Kevin Vellturo
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: Sports
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The Huskies (6-24-1, 5-17-1 Atlantic Hockey) hope to put their most recent weekend - two home losses to Mercyhurst - behind them as they travel to Springfield, Mass. to take on AIC at 7:05 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets (4-24-1, 4-19-0) are the only team below UConn in conference standings and are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak and have not won since a 3-1 win over Bentley on Nov. 25.
Perhaps what AIC is lacking the most is the presence of a goal scorer. In their last 15 games, the Yellow Jackets have scored more than two goals only twice and have been shut out four times. The team's leading goal scorer, Tom Mele, has only eight on the year.
It was AIC who the Huskies had their last taste of victory against. The 3-1 win on Jan. 27 is the only win for UConn in their last eight contests. The win illustrates what coach Bruce Marshall has been stressing what the team has needed to do all season: finish.
They jumped out to a 2-1 lead and whereas in other games that lead would have been relinquished, junior forward and the team's leading scorer Chris Ochoa netted a power play goal in the third period to add some insurance to a somewhat tenuous lead.
Despite the win, the Huskies were unable to parlay the momentum into any wins since, which is something they will need to do to make a late season push.
According to Marshall, the disappointing season is not because of lack of talent.
"We've got some guys who can play," Marshall said. "With the guys we have, I think we're capable of beating anybody on any given day."
Both Ochoa and Jason Krispel are testament to that. Ochoa, who had four goals in the two games against Mercyhurst this past weekend, is leading the Huskies in goals. If there's someone he could credit for the opportunities, it's Krispel. Krispel, who leads the team in both points (22) and assists (20), has six more assists than the next closest person on the team.
Marcello Ranallo has also made an immediate impact his freshman year with six goals and 14 assists.
Aside from their talents, one thing that Marshall has never questioned has been his team's desire to win, which he says has not faltered.
"The kids' attitudes have been great," Marshall said. "They always come ready to play."
If the Huskies want to make a run into the playoffs, which Marshall says they are capable of doing, it starts against the Yellow Jackets. The following weekend is a tough match up against Canisus who beat the Huskies twice earlier this year.
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